Da Gobbo's Demise by Denny Flowers

Author:Denny Flowers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Library
Published: 2022-09-28T10:55:12+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Upio’s ears reverberated with each strike. It reminded him of the church bells he’d rung as a child, except this shockwave not only pained his ears but also caused his whole body to shudder. He would have felt each strike even if he were deaf, and if the cacophony persisted much longer he ­probably would be.

He watched as Marvarry raised his armoured gauntlet, the power field crackling about the weapon like caged lightning. His fist thundered into the greenskins’ blockade, the barrier screaming at the force of each blow. He would have no doubt already breached the defences if the barricade had not been piled so high and haphazardly. Each strike cleared a path, but also resulted in an avalanche of scrap tumbling to fill the void. Twice the commissar had almost been crushed by the debris, saved once by a backhanded blow from his power fist, and a second time by a loyal cultist who pushed him aside. Their reward had been being crushed beneath the debris. Marvarry had barely acknowledged the sacrifice, his next blow spraying blood along with metal shards.

If it happened again, Upio would not save him. He hoped none of the others would either. Not that he said as much, fearing his would be the only voice of dissent. How ironic it would be if the rest felt the same, but feared giving voice to their views. He tried to make eye contact, glancing to each in turn, but hoods concealed their faces. Had some snuck away? Marvarry had sent two to cut off the fuel pipes adjacent to the entrance. He had claimed success, but had both returned? Were some deserting even now?

Another blow, and this one shattered the final remnants of the grots’ blockade. The incensed Marvarry made to barge into the church. But at the last moment he hesitated, gaze flicking over his shoulder to the cultists.

He stepped aside from the breach, nodding to Upio and the others.

‘Reclaim your honour,’ he snarled. ‘For the Dark Gods!’

This was the moment. He could fire his pistol, kill the commissar. Then flee, vanish into the wastes, wait for all this to die down, rejoin the side of whomever proved the victor. His flesh was still unmarked. None would know of his rebellion. He could claim he lost his eye fighting the traitors. He might even be thought a hero.

But would the others follow? Or avenge the commissar? How could he trust them? They had proven time and again that they were too spineless to stand against Marvarry. If one had raised his weapon, or even just his voice, Upio would have been right behind them. But no, they were cowards, and left him no choice.

‘For the Dark Gods!’ he bellowed, rushing forward and praying the rest would follow. Once inside he could hold back, focus on the layout of the facility. Let the others catch the first bullets.

But his pace slowed almost instantly. And not just him. All of them were struggling. It felt as though the floor of the church were grasping at his feet.

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